Onyx Packer drowns in dam near Bruce Highway caravan park

The family of a Queensland toddler who tragically died after falling into a dam near a caravan park have shared a special tribute to the little boy.

Little Onyx Packer drowned in a dam near the Country Stopover Caravan Park where he was living with his dad.

The grieving family of a beloved toddler who drowned in a dam near a caravan park on the Bruce Highway has shared a heartbreaking statement.

Onyx Packer was just a week off turning two when he fell into a dam on a private property near the Country Stopover Caravan Park on the Bruce Highway at Tinana, south of Maryborough, some time before 10.40am on Friday, June 27.

His grieving mum, Chara Lucianne, updated her Facebook profile with the words “Onyx Mathew is my sunshine” and the dates of her son’s birth and death.

Little Onyx Packer drowned in a dam near the Country Stopover Caravan Park where he was living with his dad.

“Forever 2,” she wrote.

A statement was also released by Onyx’s father, Kyle, and his family on Thursday.

“Dearest Onyx Mathew Packer, since you came into this life you have brought joy and love,” it read.

“We are all grateful for the time spent with you and the treasured memories we as a family will keep forever in our hearts.

“You are loved by everyone who crossed paths with you special boy.

“May your wings fly high till we see you again.”

Onyx Packer was just one week away from his second birthday when he fell into a dam on a private property bordering the Country Stopover Caravan Park and drowned.

Ty Algar said on Wednesday he had witnessed the event’s tragic unfolding.

Onyx had gone missing about 10.40am that day, he said.

“I knew they had a dog and normally the dog gets out,” he said.

“Then I heard the dad shout, ‘Onyx!’

“So, I started getting people to look around.”

An aerial view of the Country Stopover Caravan Park in Tinana.

He said within a few minutes everyone had started to panic and shout out, desperately trying to locate the little boy.

“Even I was screaming at one point,” Mr Algar said.

“I don’t know why, but I just decided to go over towards the dam.”

Mr Packer had found Onyx in the dam and soon after police arrived and began desperately trying to resuscitate him.

“I’ve seen a lot of shit happen in my life, but not like this with f*****g kids,” Mr Algar said.

Sadly, Onyx could not be resuscitated.

Onyx Packer was just one week away from his second birthday when he fell into a dam on a private property bordering the Country Stopover Caravan Park in Maryborough.

A Country Stopover employee, who wished to remain anonymous, said he was disappointed by a television station and Facebook reports that the dam was on the caravan park property, when it was not.

“When someone puts the wrong information out there, it gives you a bad name,” they said.

They also said they were not made aware of the incident until “very late Friday arvo”.

A Queensland Ambulance Service spokesman confirmed on Wednesday paramedics had attended the scene.

She said further information could not be provided as investigations were ongoing.

A police spokeswoman said a report would be prepared for the coroner “following the non-suspicious death of a child on June 27”.

“As this matter is now before the coroner and for privacy reasons, it would be inappropriate to comment further.”

Kyle Packer was also contacted for comment.

Originally published as Onyx Packer drowns in dam near Bruce Highway caravan park